Rodri fires warning to Arsenal as Man City starting to "dream again"

31 March 2023 , 21:30

1034     0

Rodri fires warning to Arsenal as Man City starting to "dream again"

Rodri reckons Manchester City's best is yet to come this season - as they continue their push for the Treble.

City are currently eight points behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand, and host Mikel Arteta's side on April 26. Midfielder Rodri admitted every game for City from now until the end of the season is a must-win, but said that pressure-filled scenario is something they relish.

“I think the level has been top, great," said Rodri. "If you look at all the competitions, we are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, we are there in the Champions League where we will face a very competitive team in Bayern.

"We have 11 games to dream again, to fight, and I think if someone had asked us if we would like to be in this position for the start of the season, we would have said yes.

"The good thing about this is that we have to show the best version of ourselves from now until the end. Still, I think the best version of the team is coming.

Pep Guardiola went back on his word after blocking last-ditch Barcelona transfer

"I think when the players feel that you are fighting for the titles, that makes you be more ambitious and try to go more. That's why I think the team is going to show the best level from now until the end.

"We have the experience of all the years because we know when we have to push, and this is the moment we have to give the best of ourselves. We need to show the best version of ourselves again, because we are in the situation where we must win every game."

Rodri is targeting a perfect record with Man City for the rest of the season (Lexy Ilsley - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

Erling Haaland faces a fitness test ahead of Manchester City's Premier League clash with Liverpool on Saturday. The prolific striker withdrew from Norway's recent Euro 2024 qualifiers after suffering a groin injury in City's FA Cup victory over Burnley a fortnight ago.

Haaland, who has scored 42 goals in all competitions this season, will be assessed after City's final training session ahead of the lunchtime encounter at the Etihad Stadium. Manager Pep Guardiola said: "Erling is recovering. We'll see this afternoon. The last training is at 4pm and we will see how he feels."

City, who trail leaders Arsenal by eight points with a game in hand, have a big few weeks ahead. They face Bayern Munich over two legs in the Champions League quarter-finals and then face the Gunners in another crucial fixture before the end of April.

It could therefore be a risk to play Haaland this weekend if not fully fit but Guardiola is not ruling anything out. He said: "We'll see, the doctors and the player will decide, if he feels good. We'll see, life at this stage is risks and sometimes you have to take."

David McDonnell